Game board



March 6, 1962 R. H. GCE-rz 3,024,026

GAME BOARD Filed Aug. 14, 1959 H l5 ATTORNEYS United States Patent l()3,024,026 GAME BOARD Robert H. Goetz, S0 Vernon Drive. Scarsdale Post(lince, Eastchester, N.Y. Filed Aug. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 833,782 1 Claim.(Cl. 273-130) This invention relates to a game apparatus or game board'for playing a game between two players or two teams of two playerseach.

The game board of the present invention is a rectangular game boardwhich has on it two sets of alternating rows of markings of differentcolors, with the rows of markings of each set being equi-distant fromeach other in both directions, and with the markings of the two sets ofrows offset so that the markings of each row are exactly halfway betweenthe markings of both the adjacent rows in both directions.

The individual markings of both sets of rows are provided with foursockets or grooves arranged at right angles to each other and in suchfashion that the sockets of the adjacent markings of each row face eachother, forming pairs.

The number of markings of each row of each series is the same in onedirection and different in the other direction. In the same direction,the number of markings per row in successive rows are alternately onemore and one less, but the alternate rows have the same number.

As a result of this arrangement of the two sets of markings of differentcolors, the board can be considered to consist of two oblong boards,each of its own color, oiset against each other and arranged in such away that the rows of the larger number of markings of the one color areat right angles to the rows with the larger number of markings of theother color.

For playing a game with the game board, a number of playing pieces orrods are provided of the same color as the two sets of markings and of alength to join together the sockets of the adjoining markings of theSame color. Each pair of sockets, unless blocked by the opponent, maythus be joined by a removable playing piece or rod during the course ofthe game to be played.

The game is played by two players at a time, who are seated at rightangles to each other. Or the game can be played by four players, playingas partners, with each two partners facing each other and at rightangles with the other set of partners.

The object of the game is for each player to join the markings of hiscolor across the board by placing a rod or bar of the same color betweenthe notches of two opposite markings, one rod or bar being placed inposition alternately by each player. The aim of each player is to forman uninterrupted line in the long axis of his board, from the one end ofthe board to the other, without ever crossing any of the rods or bars ofthe opponent. The line need not be a direct connection, but may gosidewise or back and forth, so long as it connects the markings of thesame color.

In placing the rods or bars, each player will try not only to form hisown line, but also to prevent the opponent from forming his line, byplaying his rods or bars so as to block those of the opponent.

The player who first completes his line will be the winner of the game.

3,024,026 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 The game boards may be made of wood,metal, plastic, etc.. and the markings with their sockets areadvantageously raised above the surface of the board. The sockets of themarkings may be depressed below the surface of the board, in which casedepressions may also be provided between the sockets for the playingrods or bars. Raised markings with sockets even with the board areadvantageous for holding the rods or bars in place when playing.

The different markings are, as above indicated, made of differentcolors, so as to distinguish the two alternating rows from each other.When the boards are made of plastic, the markings may be inserts ofdiderent colors, or may be secured to the top of the plastic at theproper locations. Where the entire board is molded by a single operationfrom the same plastic, the markings can be painted in dii-ferent colorsto distinguish the two sets from each other. In either case instead ofusing different colors, the markings may be distinguished by differentshape.

The invention will be further described in connection with theaccompanying drawing, which illustrates one form of the game board ofthe invention, but it will be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto.

In the accompanying drawing,

FIG. l shows one form of the game board with a game played thereon; and

FIG. 2 is a section through the board of FIG. 1, taken on the line 2-2of FIG. l.

The drawing shows the markings of two different colors, blue and red,the blue markings being indicated by horizontal lines and the redmarkings by vertical lines. On the board illustrated, the blue markingsare indicated at B, and the red markings at R, and it will be notedthat, looking at the board in one direction, there is one less bluemarking in each row than there is of red markings in each row. Lookingat the board at right angles, there is one less red marking in each rowthan there is of blue markings in each row.

The playing pieces will be of the same color as the markings, and theblue rods or bars are indicated with lines lengthwise, while the redrods or bars are indicated with lines crosswise of the bars.

FIG. 1 shows a game played on the board, with the players playingalternately and with an indication of each play by successive numbers.The number l shows the first play of a blue rod or bar between two bluemarkings. Play No. 2 shows a red rod or bar between two red markings.The successive numbers 3, 4, 5, 6, etc., show the successive playsalternately by each player. The object of the play, as above indicated,is for each player to join the markings of his color to form anuninterrupted line in the long axis of his board from one end of theboard to the other, without ever crossing any of the rods or bars of hisopponent and to block or prevent his opponent from doing so.

The successive plays on the lboard from No. 1 to 19 illustrate thesuccessive plays, until finally one of the players completes his line,in this case, the blue player.

It will be evident that the number of alternating rows of each color canbe varied. The drawing shows six rows, of live markings each for each ofthe two colors. Using seven rows of six markings each makes the gamesomewhat more complex. It will be understood that any number of rows andmarkings may be employed without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

I claim:

A game board having two series of rows of markings of different colors,the markings of each row being of the same color and the rows ofdifferent colors alternating with each other and with the markings ofeach row offset with respect to the markings of different color of theadjacent rows, so that the markings of each row are halfway between themarkings of different color of both the adjoining rows in bothdirections, each marking having a top surface at a different level fromthe surface of the References Cited in the le of this patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Anderson June 8, 1920 Bevan Aug. 10, 1926

